Distance: 15 - 25 miles
Pace: Easy
Terrain: Trails and minor roads.
Finish: Around 3pm or sooner

Our rides are scheduled for the 2nd or 3rd Thursday of each month, unless the date is inconvenient. We hope to stick to the agreed routes and dates, but circumstances (weather, usually) may dictate a change.
We aim to enjoy the ride, so we take our time and chat along the way. The rides are not a test of stamina, but are intended to help us keep fit, so we balance the easy bits with a few hills (hills are unavoidable around Ashbourne). But if a particular hill is too tough it's ok to get off and walk.

About halfway or beyond we stop for a snack lunch, normally at a pub or cafe. I try to arrange the ride to give the shorter distance afterwards but it is not always possible. So, no excuse, if you have access to a bike with sufficient gears to cope with the hills, pump up the tyres and join us. Electric bikes are welcome. Cycling is the easiest and most effective way to keep fit.

Click on an image to enlarge it and to scroll through the gallery.

If you intend to join us please email me. ( Contact details at the top of the page. )
If you are new to the group please let me have a phone number - in case I have to inform you of any changes, or ring you on the day to cancel the ride (usually because of bad weather).
U3A require me to ask for an emergency contact and phone number. If you haven't ridden with us before please let me have these prior to the ride.

Please:

• Bring a spare inner tube (quicker, and more reliable, than repairing a puncture)
• Wear reflective clothing.
• Wear a helmet.
• Lights, particularly rear lights, and a bell are recommended.

I hope to see some of you out on rides. I have made the dates more flexible to avoid riding on the same week as walking.
Please let me know if you are intending to ride with us and also let me know if you have to cancel. This group is not only for men, any ladies who wish to join us will be made very welcome.
Happy cycling

For more information please contact me (see above).

FUTURE DATES FOR 2025

16th January, 13th February, 13th March, 10th April, 8th May, 19th June, 3rd July, 24thJuly, 21st August, 11th September, 9th October, 6th November, 4th December.

NOTE Due to the six week gap after the 3rd July I have added another ride on the 24th July. ALSO the date for the August ride has been changed to 21st.

Cycling Meetings for 2025

Date	Meeting Place	Details
16th January		Seven riders braved the cold but wonderfully sunny weather on a ride up the Tissington Trail from Ashbourne to Tissington and another two miles beyond, before turning round. The return route was on the trail due to possible icy conditions on the roads. Two cyclists were electrically assisted and a tandem and three others were doing it the hard way. The total distance was approximately 12 miles. We were back in Ashbourne by lunchtime.
13th February		A CHANGE OF RIDE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF ICE ON THE ROADS. Starting from the Leisure center car park in Ashbourne, seven riders cycled up the Tissington Trail to Alsop Station car park then cycled back on the trail to Herbert's Tea Rooms at Tissington for lunch and afterwards returned on the trail to Ashbourne. Four were electrically assisted and three were manual. It was very cold at 2-3°c and we were glad to reach the tea rooms in order to warm up.
13th March		Ten cyclists rode from Ashbourne to the Hollybush Inn at Church Broughton for lunch, via Wyaston, Rodsley, Longford and Sutton. The return route was via Alkmonton, Yeaveley and Wyaston. Total distance approx 20 miles ( 12 out and 8 return) Although showers were forecast we were lucky that the only one was at lunchtime when we were in the pub. Four riders were doing it the hard way with the remainder assisted by electricity.
April ride report		We cycled from Brailsford to Hackwood Farm Tea Rooms near Mickleover for lunch, via Brailsford Green, Thurvaston and Sutton to the World Peace Cafe at the Buddhist centre near Etwall for a coffee stop before joining the old railway track, leading us to the Tea rooms. The return route was changed to miss out a busy section of Long Lane which added another 1.5 miles and more hills. The new route saw us returning via Radbourne, Kirk Langley and Mercaston. Total distance approx 21.5 miles (12 miles out and 9.5 return) 10 cyclists came on the ride, four of whom were electrically assisted and the remainder ( including 2 on a tandem) did it the hard way. We had a surprise when another tandem caught us up towards the end.
Report of the May ride		Nine cyclists came on the ride from Clifton to Oakamoor via Norbury, Ellastone, JCB testing ground and Churnet Valley Cycleway. We returned via Red Road to Dimmings Dale with lunch at the Ramblers Retreat. Afterwards the ride continued via Red Road to Alton, then Churnet Valley Cycleway where one rider suffered a rear puncture. Two of us stayed to help while the others continued on the rest of the ride via JCB HQ, Rocester, Marston Montgomery, Snelston and then back to Clifton. Total distance 22.5 miles, 10.5 out and 12 back. After fitting a new tube and untangling the chain which was determined to knot itself, the remaining riders followed. After finishing the ride, two of us who had ridden to the start still had to ride back uphill!
19th June		From the car park in Waterhouses seven riders followed the Manifold Trail to Wetton Mill for a coffee and ice cream stop. We then continued on the trail to Hulme End, but due to the hot weather we missed out the section through Brund and went straight to the Manifold Inn for lunch and a welcome drink. The return route followed a road and track on the other side of the river taking us back to Wetton Mill after which we completed the ride on the trail. Three riders were assisted electrically and the rest of us had to pedal harder! The shortened distance was 18 miles and we were glad that it wasn't any longer in the heat.
3rd July		Six cyclists rode from Tissington to the Waterloo Inn at Biggin for lunch, using the Tissington Trail to Parsley Hay followed by a section on the road taking us to lunch at Biggin. Here we were joined at the Waterloo Inn by another two riders on a tandem who returned with us on the trail to Tissington. Total distance approx 20 miles (13 out and 7 back.) On the downhill road section before lunch where we usually free wheel the wind had other ideas. I suffered a puncture on the trail a short distance from the end of the ride but with help from another rider it was quickly sorted out. Three cyclists were electrically assisted and the remainder did it the hard way.
24th July		Nine cyclists went on a shorter ride on the Monsal Trail from Hassop Station car park. We should have ridden to Millers Dale but the trail was closed beyond the viaduct. so we tried the diversion for walkers which proved to be unsuitable for bikes. We ended up crossing the river on a footbridge before riding and walking up the steep road to Monsal Head. After a rest we returned to Hassop Station by road and trail. Some did an extra loop to Bakewell and back but four of us decided to have an early lunch. My excuse for stopping was another puncture! Total distance was about 9.5 miles for some and 6.5 for others. The three electrically assisted bikes found the ride easier than the rest of us.
21st August		Fourteen riders on thirteen bikes ( one was a tandem )cycled from Ashbourne to Brailsford Golf Club for lunch via Wyaston, Yeaveley, Rodsley, Longford and Thurvaston. The return journey was via Brailsford Green, Brailsford Church bridle track, Moorend and Harrison Way. Total distance approx 20miles ( 12 out and 8 back) Seven riders had assistance and seven did it the hard way.
11th September		In a change to the published ride we cycled from Minninglow to the Waterloo Inn at Biggin for lunch via the High Peak Trail to Parsley Hay for a coffee stop and then following the Tissington Trail to Biggin and we returned the same way without the coffee stop. Nine cyclists came on the ride; five manual and four assisted. Total distance was approximately 18 miles.
9th October		Twelve cyclists rode from Ashbourne to the Crown Inn at Marston Montgomery for lunch via Wyaston, Yeaveley, Alkmonton and Boyleston. The return journey went via Thurvaston, Great Cubley, Yeaveley and Wyaston. Total distance approx 20 miles ( 11 out and 9 back) Five riders were not electrically assisted and found the hills hard. The group split after lunch with three going home via Clifton and the rest of us continued on the route back to Ashbourne.
6th November	10.30am at the Leisure centre car park in Ashbourne	A ride up the trail to the Waterloo Inn at Biggin for lunch. Please let me know if you are intending to join us by 6pm on Tuesday 4th November.
4th December	10.30am at the Royal Oak, Ashbourne	A short ride on road and trail prior to Christmas Lunch at the Royal Oak.